Auspicious Inner Support - images of humor and impermanence

In Tibetan symbolism there are the Eight Auspicious Symbols. They include the Parasol, the Golden Fishes, the Treasure Vase, the Lotus, the Conch Shell, the Endless Knot, the Victory Banner, and the Wheel. These symbols signify good fortune and are generally used in events marking new beginnings, gratitude, and for blessing on activities. Both Robert Beer's Tibetan Symbols (Shambhala Pub., 1999) and Dagyab Rinpoche's Buddhist Symbols (Wisdom Pub., 1995) are incredible resources for uncovering the deep and rich meanings behind buddhist symbolism. I have spent many hours reading and reflecting on the images in both these texts. Both books have detailed descriptions and utilization of the Eight Symbols and suggest that they go far beyond a cultural wish for well being; they embody the most profound truths about life, death and happiness as taught by the buddhas.

Upon contemplating these symbols in relationship to inner support I immediately saw a connection between the human skeleton and the basic aspects of each symbol's attributed blessing. For example the Golden Fishes generally wish one to have abundance and fertility in all aspects of their lives. This idea relates to the pelvic and hip bones, their ability to support the body in reproduction and creative energy.

Bones also have a deeper significance of our impermanence and death. Georgia O'Keefe and Frieda Khalo painted bones and their poignant relevance in our acceptance of life cycles. Cultures such as Tibetan and Mexican embrace this lightness and humor in their images of bones and skeletons. These images reflect the integrated understanding that there is no separation between life and death. Often there is such humor expressed in these images that one sees the lightness beyond the grim. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche writes, "A genuine sense of humor is having a light touch: not beating reality into the ground but appreciating it with a light touch." (Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Shambhala. p 32.)

Choosing aspects of the human body for symbolic reference is not new to me. In a flash of artistic vision I saw that the Eight Symbols corresponded with aspects of my skeletal structure, our inner support system. I found this delightful and place for play. It is interesting to note that Dagyap Rinpoche included a translation of The Heap of Good Fortune Sutra (Symbols, p.32) in which the Eight Symbols are compared to the head, eyes, neck, tongue, speech, hands, body, and feet. In further reflection and sketching flowers appeared. Perhaps Georgia O'Keefe and Frieda Khalo were inspiring me with these ideas. Yet, it made sense to incorporate flowers and the meaning associated with them into these drawings. It was as if the bones were the structural means and the flowers the compassionate wisdom.

Bone meal is often used to fertilize flower gardens, blossoming new life. Flowers are culturally used to express joy, love, sympathy, purity, and much more. Combined with the bone images are specific flowers that encourage contemplation of death and rebirth, impermanence and enlightenment, compassion and wisdom, and the precious good fortune of inner support.

This series of eight illustrations layer the Eight Auspicious Symbols with structured areas of the human skeleton and the integral beauty of life experienced through flowers. I created them with Prisma pencil over watercolor wash on cotton rag paper (10" x 10"). The representational/narrative quality is intentional to create a feeling of underlying humor.

Be well,

Susan